MMDC sat down with Johnny Fayne, president and CEO of Fresh Start Facility Services, to learn more about his story and experience participating in our Buy Local program.
Can you tell me a little about yourself and your business?
I started Fresh Start Facility Services in 2006 and it is a 100% minority owned full-service janitorial business. We’ve been working with several large logistical centers and currently work with a manufacturing company with over 2 million square feet. We’ve worked in the medical field on extensive projects in the Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi markets. Locally we’ve had partnerships with Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital and Regional One Health. We have also worked in the Nashville market for five years supporting Vanderbilt and in Mississippi with ABB, where we service their national distribution center. Right now, we are working with Rosemark, known across the national and international market offering chemicals for disinfection and sanitation.
How did you get started in the janitorial industry?
I have an extensive background in management through my tenure at FedEx managing flight and truck operations, hazardous materials, and more. I started their hazardous materials program 20 years ago that is still in operation today. I retired from there managing their international freight operations, the largest operation in the entire company and biggest revenue driver at the time and as manager of the year.
I got into this field almost by accident. I introduced a friend to this field but later joined the field working with our first customer in 2006, Hino Motors in Marion, Arkansas, a subsidiary of Toyota. They have almost a two million square foot facility and we are proud to still maintain their business today.
Why did you choose to locate your business in Memphis?
Our business has always been in the medical district. Our first office was at 1331 Union. At the time when we started, we were looking for a downtown or close business that would make it easier for customers and employees to reach us. It has worked out very well.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
In the janitorial space that we operate in now, there is a 200% employee turnover rate. However, we have been able to keep our retention rate very low- with little turnover. We try to make it comfortable for our employees and find ways to help them access services around town. And we are working to increase our minimum wages to $15 an hour. It’s almost a ministry where we are helping our community thrive- no one can survive on $7-$8 an hour. And we are excited about helping our employees move from a $12 to $15 starting wage.
Why is it important to support local businesses? I think what gives us an advantage over a national brand is that we know and use the local suppliers. We use the same equipment as the national brands that are well known. For example, when equipment breaks down, we have the same relationship or better with the local people that provide that service. The same people that they would reach out to we often have a better relationship with them and can get quicker, better service. I think when companies consider working with local businesses, this is important to consider- they have the connections to get the job done, unlike national companies who have to turn around and find and build new relationships. The employee base is also important to understand. A national company must hold a career fair to obtain employees. At one time we were competing with a national company who had a career fair where less than 40 people showed up to meet them versus the 300 people who showed up to meet us. Who knows Memphis more than local businesses and can relate to our local worker base and their needs? This insight allows companies like ours to flourish and provide a higher level of professionalism to the market.
How have you been working with Hire Local?
As our contracts are growing in Memphis and with institutions partnered with MMDC, we have partnered with their Hire Local program to identify and fast-track local residents into a new career field. Hire Local is targeting residents who live in the 38103, 38104, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38112, 38114, 38127 zip codes who may be interested in learning a new skill, in full-time roles, close to home. The current training collaboration helps both Fresh Start Facility Services grow their talent team and supports MMDC’s strategic goal to increase the employment rate of residents in and close to the medical district. Get more information on the Hire Local training opportunity by visiting https://hirelocal901.com/job-seekers/training/.
Is there anything else you’d like the public to know about yourself or your business?
We are a business with a proven track record that is ready to scale. We value relationships with both our clients, our employees and local suppliers. And we are committed to helping our community grow as we do.